Washing and sterilizing machine



Oct. 1, 1940. T; T HAMP'EL 2,216,388

WASHING AND STERILIZING MACHINE Filed OCT.. 5, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNE YS.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 00?.. 5. 1958 IN V EN TOR A `TTORNEYS.

Oct. 1, 1940. T. r. HAMPEL WASHING AND STERILIZING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 5, 1938 xi Theodore THarnpeL IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Oct. 1, 1940. T. T. HAMPEL WASHING AND STERILIZING MACHINE 4 sheets-sheet 4 Filed 0G12. 5, 1938 mwmmu Theodaz'e ZH 4 IN V EN TOR.

A TTRNEYS.

Patented Oct. l, 1940 WASHING AND STERILIZING MACHINE Theodore T. Hampel, Cohoes, N. Y., assignor of one-half to Edward J. Shea, Cohoes, N. Y.

Application October 5,

s claims.

This invention relates to a machine for washing and sterilizing dishes, beverage glasses, and the like.

Under the sanitary codes of some States and cities it is required that dishes, beverage glasses and the like used by the public shall be washed with soap and water at not less than a stated temperature and subsequently subjected for a stated time to the action of livesteam in a closed compartment.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cabinet for receiving the articles to be cleaned and sterilized, there being mechanism within the cabinet which will operate automatically when' the cabinet is closed, to direct the cleansing uid on the contained articles, subsequently shut off the fluid, thereafter direct. live steam onto the contained articles and continuing the application of the steam for a required time, and subsequently shutting off the steam.

A further object is to provide apparatus of this character which is simple and compact and requires no manipulation by the user other than the Ainsertion and withdrawal of the trays or other containers holding the articles to be or which have been treated.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described andpointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of the cabinet containing the mechanism constituting the subject matter of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section therethrough.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3 3, Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the cabinet opened.

Figure 5 is a section on line 5 5, Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a section on line 6 5, Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a section on line 1 1, Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a. view showing in diagram the positions of the circuit controlling mechanism when in starting position at the beginning of the cycle of operation.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 showing the relative positions of the parts when the opera.

193s, serial No. 233,486

tion of the parts is completed following the cleansing and sterilizing of the contained articles.

Figure 10 is al view similar to Figure 9 showing the positions of the parts ofthe circuit controlling apparatus immediately following the opening of the drawer carrying the articles which have been sterilized.

Figure 11 is a similar View showing the positions of the parts following the completion of the cycle of operation and after the parts have been reset.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, I designates a cabinet of any preferred construction preferably insulated. In theA lower portion of this cabinet is provided a steam generator 2 formed with one or more ues 3 extending therethrough and open at its ends, the upper end of the flue being adapted to deliver hot products of combustion or heated air into a heat distributing pan 4 which is supported by the steam generator and is so shaped as to extend substantially throughout the width and depth of the interior of the cabinet.

The heating element 5 located in the lower portion of the steam generator can be controlled by a thermostat indicated generally at 6 so that the generation of steam can be controlled. A water supply pipe l opens into the steam generator and can also have any suitable controlling means indicated generally at 8 for maintaining the water at the desired level.

A steam pipe 9 is extended from the generator 2 and upwardly past pan 4 to a header Il! and standpipes II are extended upwardly from the ends of the header I0 and are provided with superposed delivery pipes I2 located close to the side walls of the cabinet and. each provided with a longitudinal series of spraying devices I3 adapted to direct sprays upwardly and inwardly away from the side walls.

Guide cleats IB are supported inwardly from and parallel with the side Walls of the cabinet I by apertured partitions I5 carried by the side walls, it being understood that the delivery pipes I2 are located above the partitions. A drip pan I6 is supported under the partitions I5 and extends throughout the width and depth of,l the interior of the cabinet, the bottom of this drip pan being inclined downwardly to an outlet I1.

Secured to vthe sides of the cabinet I and adjacent to the sides of the heat distributing pan 4 are guide'cleats I8 on which a drawer I9 is slidably mounted, this drawer constituting a tank for holding soapy water or other suitable cleansing uid and being so located and proportioned that, when either in open or closed position, it will receive liquid delivered through the outlet 1. This will be apparent by referring to. Figures 3 and 4 wherein the drawer or liquid tank is shown in the two positions mentioned.

Normally this liquid tank or drawer is closed so as to overlie the heat distributing pan 4 although said pan is slightly spaced from the drawer as shown to permit the escape of heated air from the pan after it has travelled' along the bottom of the tank |9. The outlet for the heated air has been indicated at 20 in Figures 2 and 3.

The cleats I4 support a slide 2| constituting the bottom of a drawer the front 22 of which is normally closed against the front of the cabinet This slide 2| is adapted to support superposed skeleton trays indicated generally at 23 each of which is formed preferably with downwardly diverging racks 24 for supporting beverage glasses, dishes, etc., in inclined positions so that they will open downwardly as indicated at G in Figure 2. The trays are preferably supported one on top of the other and are adapted to move with the drawer 2| when opened or closed so as to permit the trays to be readily filled or emptied. When the door is closed the trays arev located between the superposed series of spraying devices 3 as shown in Figure 2.

An electric motor 25 is located within the cabinet, preferably at the bottom thereof and operates a pump 26 to the inlet of which is extended a flexible tube 21 connected to the bottom of the tank I9. An outlet pipe 28 extends from this pump to the manifold i and contains a valve 29 adapted to be opened and closed by a valve arm 30 mounted for swinging movement. A by-pass 3| connects the inlet pipe 21 to the outlet pipe 28, this by-pass containing a check valve 32 which is normally closed but which will open when subjected to excessive back pressure from the outlet pipe 28.

'I'he steam pipe 9 is provided with a valve 33 adapted to be opened and closed by a valve arm 34 mounted for swinging movement.

A worm shaft 35 rotates with the pump and constitutes a part of a speed reduction gear indicated generally at 35 whereby motion is transmitted to cams 31 and 38 rotatable together about a common axis. Cam 31 is positioned where it will engage and actuate the valve arm 30 while cam 38 is positioned where it will engage and actuate the valve arm 34. In addition to these cams, there is provided a disk 39 which rotates with them and can be one of the gears of the speed reduction gearing. 'I'his disk forms a part of the circuitcontrolling mechanism of the apparatus and, in` the structure illustrated, V

carries a short segmental contact strip 40 and a tripping finger 4|.

A spring-restrained pivoted switch 42 is electrically connected to the motor 25 and has an4 arm 43 normally projecting into the path of the tripping finger 4|. This switch 42, when in its normal position, as in Figure 8, establishesan electrical connection between motor 25 and one contact 44 of a switch 45 which is adapted to engage either of two contacts 45 and 41 connected to one of the leads 48 of the circuit. This lead can include a signal lamp 49 located at the front of the cabinet and it can also include a switch 50 located on the cabinet at any suitable point for the purpose of controlling the ow of current to the apparatus.

Another contact is located opposite to the contact 44 and the switch 45, which carries a plunger 52, is normally pressed against the contacts 41 and 5| by a spring 53. Plunger 52 is located in the path of the top portion of the lower tray 23 so that when the drawer 2| with a tray thereon is in closed position, said tray thrusts against plunger 52 and holds the switch 45 against the contacts 44 and 45, thereby completing the circuit to the motor when the parts are positioned as in Figure 8.

Contact 5| is electrically connected to a contact finger 54 which is located close to but spaced from another contact finger 55 electrically connected to a contact 55 adjacent to but normally spaced from the switch 42. These contact fingers 54 and 55 lap the disk 39 and extend across the path of the segment 40.

The cams 3'1 and 38 are so proportioned and so located relative to each other that, during one complete rotation of these cams and the disk 39, cam 3'1 will rst engage and shift valve arm 30 to open valve 29 and maintain it open during a predetermined time interval after which the valve arm will be released and the valve closed. Immediately thereafter the other cam 38 will engage and actuate valve arm 34, thereby opening the valve 33 and maintaining it open for a predetermined time interval after which the valve will be closed.

In practice steam is generated and the heat flowing upwardly through the generator 2 will be spread over the bottom of the closed tank I9 which is filled with a suitable cleansing fluid, such as soapy water. Thus this fluid is heated to proper temperature and is maintained ready for use.

The drawer 2| is moved to open position as shown in Figure 4 and as the switch 45 is thereby released, its spring 53 will move it to the p0- sition shown in Figure 11. The circuit controlling apparatus will be located as shown in said iigure. The apparatus is thus set for use after switch 50 has been closed, it being understood that no further attention need be given to this switch 50 until it is desired to completely cut off the current to the apparatus.

While the drawer 2| is open the racks are lled with the beverage glasses or other articles to be cleaned and sterilized, these being supported in an inclined position as indicated at G in Figure 2. The drawer 2| is then pushed to closed position and this will cause the back end of one of the trays 23 to move against and actuate plunger 52 which causes switch 45 to move against the contacts 46 and 44 and to place spring 53 under compression. This actuation of the switch promptly closes the circuit to the motor 25 through switch 42 as will be apparent by referring to Figure 8 and, when the motor is energized, the pump 26 will be actuated thereby and motion will be transmitted through the reduction gearing to the cams 31 and 38. The operation of the pump sets up a circulation of cleansing fluid which is withdrawn from the tank I9 through pipe 21 to the pump and expelled through pipe 28 and the valve 29 to the header I0, standpipes Il, and spraying devices i3. Thus sprays of cleansing fluid will be directed forcibly against the supported articles on the trays and this action will continue for a predetermined period of time determined by the speed of rotation of cam 31 and the shape of the cam. It is to be understood that at the start of the foregoing operation the valve 29 is open, its arm 30 being held in open position by the cam 31. mined washing period has passed, the cam 31 However as soon as the predeter-I which has completed a partial rotation, will release arm 30 and permit valve 29 to close, thereby shutting oi the iiow of cleansing fluid. Immediately thereafter the cam 38 comes into action and presses the arm 3l so as to open valve 33. This will release the confined live steam so that it will flow upwardly to the header I0 and be distributed by way of the standpipes Il and outlet pipes l2 to the spraying devices i3. This live steam Will thus envelop the track and the articles carried thereby and they will be subjected to the sterilizing action of the steam throughout a predetermined time, depending upon the shape of the cam and its speed of rotation. Upon the completion of the steaming period, the arm will be released by the cam and valve 33 closed. It will be noted that when the drawer 2l is in closed position it closes oi the upper portion of the interior of the cabinet from the lower portion, thereby providing a steaming chamber 5l which is substantially sealed. This chamber can be provided with a dome 58 closed at the bottom by a partition 59 having an inlet EG across the front end thereof and an outlet 5I across the back end thereof. A normally closed flap 62 forming a valve is preferably located at the outlet Si and another valve, which can be a plate 53 carried by the front of drawer 2l serves to close inlet 50 when the drawer is closed.

As soon as the steam is shut off the disk 35, which has been rotating with the cam, arrives at the position shown in Figure 9, bringing the segment 60 into engagement with contacts 54 and 55 and bringing the tripping finger dl into engagement with the switch arm 43 'so that switch 52 is thus swung against the action of its restraining spring and into engagement with contact 56. Consequently the circuit through contacts N and 5S is broken and the motor is stopped. At the same time the lamp 49 will be cut out so that by looking at the cabinet it will be noted that the cleaning and steaming operations have been completed. The operator then pulls the drawer 2| to open position and this immediately releases plunger 52 so that switch 45 can be shifted against the contacts li'l and 5|. Consequently a circuit will be momentarily established through the contacts 5 and 55 and switch i5 to the motor, as will be seen by referring to Figure 10 but this circuit will be maintained only for a very short period because as soon as the motor starts the disk`29 will be rotated a suiicient distance to cause tripping nger 4| to snap out of engagement with arm B3. Consequently switch 42 will be returned to its initial position and the parts will thus be reset as shown in Figure 11. The sterilized articles can be removed from the trays and said trays refilled, drawer 2l closed, and the operation'thus far described will be repeated.

When the drawer is opened a suction is created and the remaining steam, which naturally hugs the top of chamber 51, will be pulled upwardly through the opened inlet 65 to the empty chamber under the dome 58 and toward the outlet 6| Where valve 62 will be opened by the suction. Thus steam will not envelop the vicinity of the cabinet every time the drawer 2l is opened.

Obviously the steam generator can be provided with all desired safety devices. However it is not designed to use steam under pressure because all that is ordinarily required is live steam.

With apparatus such as herein described the glasses, dishes or the like can be thoroughly washed and cleansed automatically, the operation being controlled solely by the opening and closing of the drawer containing the trays.

Inasmuch as the cleansing fluid, as fast as used, is returned to the tank I9, it can be used repeatedly and will be kept heated as long as steam is being generated. By pulling the drawer or tank to open position, it becomes possible to readily empty or fill it as found necessary.

The front 22 of the drawer or slide 2i can besecured tightly in closed position by any suitable means. For example oppositely extending bolts 64 can be mounted in the'front 22 for engagement with the cabinet, these bolts being shiftable toward or from each other by bars 55 operated by arms 56 on a rotatable stem 67.

It is to be understood that a drain can be suitably located at any desired point in the bottom of the drawer or tank I9 so that the same can be emptied readily whenever desired.

What is claimed is:

1J. Cleaning and sterilizing apparatus including a cabinet, a structure for supporting articles to be cleaned and sterilized. said structure being movable intoand out of the cabinet, a motor, means controlled by said structure when moved into the cabinet, for starting the motor, spraying devices in the cabinet for directing fluid onto the contents of the holding structure when in the cabinet, a uid container in the cabinet connected to the spraying devices, a steam generator in the cabinet and connected to the spraying devices, and means controlled by the motor for directing cleansing fluid to the' spraying devices and steam to the spraying devices successively, and means under the control of the motor for stopping the motor after a predetermined period of operation and while the article holding structure is within the cabinet.

2. Cleaning and sterilizing apparatus including a cabinet, a structure for supporting articles to be cleaned and sterilized, said structure being movable into and out of the cabinet, a motor, means controlled by said structure when moved into the cabinet, for starting the motor, spraying devices in the cabinet for directing fluid onto the contents of the holding structure when inv the cabinet, a uid container in the cabinet connected to the spraying devices, a steam generator in the cabinet and connected to the spraying devices, means controlled by the motor for directing cleansing fluid to the spraying devices and steam to the spraying devices successively, means under the control of 'the motor for stopping the motor after a predetermined period of operation and while the article holding structure is Within the cabinet, and means controlled by the movement of said 'structure positioned outside of the cabinet for resetting the rst mentioned structure controlled means for actuating the motor when said structure is returned to position in the cabinet.

3. Cleaning and sterilizing apparatus including a cabinet, a structure for holding articles to be cleaned and sterilized, said structure being movable to open and closed position within the cabinet, a holder for cleansing uid, a steam generator, spraying means within the cabinet adjacent to said structure, a motor, separate means actuated by the motor for successively directing cleansing uid from the container to the spraying means and steam from the generator to the spraying means, means operated by the holding structure when moved to closed position, for starting the motor, means for automatically stopping the motor after it has operated during a predetermined time interval, and means operated by said structure when moved to open position, for resetting the motor-starting means.

4. Cleaning and sterilizing apparatus including a cabinet, a steam generator therein, a liquid container in the cabinet for holding cleansing fluid, a drawer slidable to open and closed position within the cabinet, said drawer constituting means for holding articles to be sterilized, a motor, separate means actuated by the motor and in communication with the container and generator for successively releasing cleansing fluid and steam into contact with the contents of the drawer when closed, means controlled by the drawer when moved to closed position, for starting the motor, means controlled by the motor for automatically stopping said motor after a. predetermined time interval of operation, and means controlled by the opening of the drawer for supplying fresh air to the interior of the cabinet and displacing steam adjacent to the drawer.

5. Cleaning and sterillzing apparatus including a cabinet, a. drawer movable to open and closed position, said drawer constituting means for holding articles to be sterilized, a cleansing fluid container in the cabinet, a steam generator in the cabinet, means opening into the drawer, when closed, for conducting cleansing fluid and steam from the container and generator respectively, a motor, means actuated by the motor for directing cleansing iluid and releasing steam successively into said conducting means and onto the contents of the drawer 4 when closed and for shutting off the escape of steam after a predetermined time interval,

means actuated by the drawer when closed for starting the motor, means controlled by the motor for stopping its actuation after a predetermined time interval.

6. In cleaning and sterillzing apparatus a cabinet, a drawer movable to open and closed position in the cabinet,- said drawer constituting means for holding articles to be sterilized, means within the cabinet and above the drawer cooperating to f orm a steam chamber having an inlet and an outlet at thev front and back of said chamber respectively, a steam generator, means under the control of the drawer when moved to closed position, for directing generated steam onto the contents of the drawer and for shutting off the escape of steam at a predetermined time interval, said drawer, when moved to open position, constituting means for setting up a suction of steam from the cabinet and of fresh air through said steam chamber into the back portion of the cabinet to displace the withdrawn steam.

7. In cleansing and sterillzing apparatus a cabinet, a cleansing fluid container, a drawer slidable to open and closed position, said drawer constituting means for holding articles to be sterilized, spraying means within the cabinet and adjacent to the drawer when closed. a steam generator in the cabinet, a connection between said generator and the spraying means, a pump for withdrawing fluid from the container and directing it to the spraying means, a motor for actuating the pump, means actuated by the motor for successively opening and closing the connection between the pump and the spraying means and opening and closing the connection between the generator and the spraying means and subsequently closing the last named connection, means controlled by the drawer when moved to closed position for operating the motor, means under the control of the motor for automatically stopping its operation following a predetermined time interval.

8. In cleansing and sterillzing apparatus a cabinet, 'a cleansing fluid container, a drawer slidable to open and closed position, said drawer constituting means for holding articles to be sterilized, spraying means within the cabinet and adjacent to the drawer when closed, a steam generatorin the cabinet, a connection between said generator and the spraying means, a pump for withdrawing uid from the container and directing it to the spraying means, a motor for actuating the pump, means actuated by the motor for successively opening and closing the connection between the pump and the spraying means and opening and closing the connection between the generator and the spraying means and subsequently closing the last named connection, means controlled by the drawer when moved to closed position for operating the motor, means under the control of the motor for automatically stopping its operation following a predetermined time interval, said fluid container comprising a drawer slidable to position into or out of the cabinet, and means for returning cleansing uid to the container when in either of said positions.

9. In, cleaning and sterillzing apparatus a cabinet, a cleansing uid container slidable into and out of the cabinet, a steam generator positioned vto heat said container, a drawer movable to open or closed position within the container', said drawer constituting means for holding articles to be sterilized, means adjacent to the drawer and within the cabinet for spraying fluid onto the contents of the drawer, a pump for withdrawing cleansing fluid from the container and directing it to the spraying means, a motor for actuating the pump, means operated by the motor for successively opening and closing communication between the pump and the spraying means and opening and closing communication between the steam generator and the spraying means, thereby to successively wash and steam the articles carried by the drawer, means for returning cleansing fluid to the container following discharge thereof from the spraying means, means under the control of the article-holding drawer, when moved to closed position, for operating the motor, and means under the control of the motor for stopping its operation after a predetermined time interval.

'I'HEODORE T. HAMPEL. 

